Bookbinding machinery



june 28, 1932. v w. c. SCHMIDT BOOKBINDING MACHINERY Filed Aug. 8, 1928 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WZzmm a 5mm June 28, 1932. w. c. SCHMIDT 1,364,766

BO GKBINDING MACHINERY Filed Aug. 8, 1928 s Sheets-Sheet s I l j V I T fizz/67m Wdakm C cfzzmai Patented June 28, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WILLIAM C. SCHMIDT, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY ASSIGNMENTS, TO

'1. W. &, C. B. SHERIDAN COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF YORK This invention relates to improvements in bookbinding machinery and more particularly to registering mechanism for machinery which automatically applies backlinings or similarly applied materials to book signatures.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism which is completely automatic in operation and one which 1b; is adapted to be used in connection with machinery which automatically applies backlining sheets or similar materials to .book signatures. I

It is a further object of this invention to provide a machine which effects a more accurate registration than has heretofore been attainable, Various other objects which are not specifically. enumerated will appear from the following description of one embodiment of the present invention. I

Themerits of the present invention will appearsfrom the disclosure of one embodiment thereof which is given merely by way 7 readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevatlonpartly in cross section of a. machine embodying the present invention and taken on the line 11 of Figi ure 3.

Figure 2 is a partial view similar to Figure 1 showing the necessary partsfor an understanding of the present invention, which arts are in another operative position.

Figure 3 is a side elevation partly in cross section of the deviceshownin Figure 1 and taken on the lines 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view taken on 1 the lines 4-l of Figure 1. The present invention is illustrated'as applied to a machineof the character set forth in the applicants co-pending application, Serial No. 206,723, filed July 18, 1927, for apparatus for affixing head bands and backlinings to books.

BOOKBIN DING MACHINERY Application filed August 8, 1928. SeriaI No. 298,260.

For the purpose of abetter understanding of the present disclosure, it will be noticed. that the type of machine herein illustrated throughout the course of its travel, the loca- I tions at which any of the individual carriers with their hook signature stop constitute stations at which a certain processing of the signature backs may be effected during the period of rest.

Throughout the advance of the individual carriers in a single cycle, various mechanisms are provided for properly processing the book signatures with the result that they emergeat a certain point in their travel with" rounded backs and with the desired plies of super and layers of glue applied thereto. 7

.In this form the individual signatures are presented toa station hereinafter called the backlining stat-ion at which is located a mechanism for applying automatically backlinings to the backs of the book signaturesas presented.

This mechanism may be of any ,desired character and, as set forth in the co-pending application, may be of a characterto form ba-cklinings with head bands attached thereto. v

It is obvious, however, that the present 1nvention resides in mechanism wholly independent of these features and may be applied for registering backlinings without headbands attached thereto as well, and also for attaching headbands irrespective of how they are previously formed and presented to the backlining applying machinery. 'iThe essential elements of the mechanism at the backlining station,- as far as the presfiiiillustration, are shown in the present case at table in the guide slide.

' ment between the book signature carriers and the backlining tab-1e for effecting an accurate registration of the backlining on the book signatures at the time of application.

For the purpose of a better understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the drawings which, it will be noted,

disclose a machine having a conveyor- 10 pro vided with a plurality of book slgnature carriers 11 pivotally connected'to each other by means of the vertical pivot bolts 12. l

The conveyor is disclosed as one traveling in a substantially horizontal plane supported. in its path of travel by means of the rollers :13 and tracks 14. 7

Each carrier 11 1s provlded with side clamping plates 15 adjustably operated toward and away from each other by a mechanism not shown so that the book signatures 16 will be properly presented with thelr ends 17 projecting in an exposed manner.

It is obvious that the conveyor and book carriers, together with the mechanism for effecting a clamping of the book signatures, may be of any suitable construction, the .essential features being that the signatures be carried in a predetermined path with their ends exposed in a manner to render them pre- I sentable to other mechanisms in such condition that they may be readily operated upon to produce the desired results. V

The mechanism located at the backlining station is shown in Figure 3 as being of the same general character as that disclosed in the applicants co-pending application referred to and herein designated generally as The'reciprocating table 21 is mounted in the frame 22 to slide vertically between the guide slide surfaces 23.

The table is provided at its lower end with a shaft 24 and cutout portions 25 for pivotally receiving the links 26 which operate from mechanism, not shown, for reciprocating the The limit of the upper movement of the table, of course, is that which will properly locate and apply a backlining located on the upper surface of the table to the backs of the book signatures.

The limit of the downward movement is that which will bring the backlining table in a position to receive from any suitable means the backlinings and which will remove the backlining table away from the path of travel of thebook signatures so that clearance is provided for the next book signature to be moved to the backlining station.

The backliningsmay be preformed and introduced on thetable, but for the purpose of 27 in the form of a continuous strip supplied with headband material 28 secured to the margins thereof.

The mechanism shown in Figure 3 designated generally as 20 will not be herein described in detailbecause it is of substantially the same construction as that disclosed in the co-pending application referred to.

The table 21 is preferably of a rectangular box-like construction having .a plate 29 secured to its top surface by any suitable means, such as for instance, the screws 30.

Plate 29 is provided with a center groove 31 and a plurality of openings 32 which are in registration with the openings 33 provided by the upper wall of the table body for establishing communications between the groove 31 and theinterior of the table body. A. movable table plate 34 is provided on top ofthe plate 29 provided with a series of slots 35 having a T shaped or other suitable cross section.

Positioned through the slots 35 are securing bolts 36 having tapered heads and T shaped washers 37 held thereon, constructed and positioned to fit the slots 35. The slots are elongated in character and of such construction that the table plate 34 will be held against lateral and upward displacement while permitted a limited longitudinal movement relative to thetable body. Positioned on top of the plate 34 is an outside surface plate 38 of any suitablematerial held by any suitable means such as the screw 39.

Attention is directed to the fact that the screw 39 is counter-sunk and terminates flush I with the upper surface of the outside plate 38. Openings 40 are 7 provided through the plates 38 and 34 to establish a communication between the groove 31 and the outside surface that by means of the communication established through the openings 33, groove 31 and openings 40 a suction is applied to the backlining to hold it in place during the upward movement of the table in the applving operation. V H

The means above described is merely one means for causing the backlining to be properly held on, the table surface during the applylng operation, and it is obvious that various other means maybe employed without departing from the spirit ofthe present invention, such as for instance, the mechanical holding means disclosed in the applicants copending application, Serial No. 245,429, filed January 9, 1928, for bookbinding machine. The entire mechanism mounted in the desired, carried on an under-frame construction supported on the slide track members so that the mechanism may be properly adjusted inwardly or outwardly to effect the proper alignment directly beneath the location of the backs of the book signatures during the period of rest in the cycle of travel through the machine.

The proper adjustment may be maintained by means of the set screws 47 mounted for engagement with the under-frame piece 45 as shown. 7

For properly locating the individual book signatures 16 between the walls 15 of the carrier, a transverse pin 48, or other similar means, is provided, which pin has a flattened face 49 for engagement with one edge of the book signatures. This ispreferably the trailing edge so that any influence due to the movement of the conveyor will operate to more accurately locate the book signature.

The pin 48, therefore, has a definite relation to the location of the book signatures and is always in the same position relative thereto.

The present invention, accordingly, utilizes the element 48, or some similar element, which is definitely located relative to the book signatures, to determine through suitable registering mechanism the location of the sliding table element 34 at the time the table surface is in its maximum lifted position, or in other words, at the time when the backlinings are applied to the book signatures. This registration may be accomplished through a mechanism which will now be described.

Mounted on the side of the table body is a verically arranged supporting bar 50 secured in position by any suitable means, such as bolts 51, which are screw-threaded into openings provided in the-side of the table body.

Carried by the supporting bar 50 are two pivot shafts 52 and 53 at its upper and lower ends respectively, which extend laterally therefrom and form pivot supports for the bell crank levers 54 and 55, respectively. The inner arms of the bell crank levers are connected by the link 56 which is pivoted at one end to the bell crank lever 55 by means of the pivot bolt 57 and to the bell crank lever 54 by means of the pivot 58.

The link 56is extended beyond the pivot 58 as at 59 and is provided with a slot 60. Mounted in the slot is the pivot bolt 61 capable of adjustment therein but securely held in any one adjusted position by suitable clamping means at its point of support.

Mounted on the pivot 61 isthe operating lever 62 having a curvedextension 63 so constructed as to provide an arcuate notch or pocket 64 adapted to engage, upon upward movement of the backlining table, the pin 48 of the particular book signature carrier located for the movement thereabove.

The outer ends of the bell crank levers 54 and 55 are pivotally connected as at 65 and 66 by means of the link 67. The pivot bolt 66 is provided with an extension 68 on one side thereof for engagement with the stop bolt 69 adj'ustably mounted in a bracket 70 by screw thre zzi'ded engagement therewith and the lock nut. 1.

The bracket is preferably secured on the which is secured at its lower end to the bell crank 55 by means of the opening 77 provided therein. This spring is a tension spring and tends to rotate the bell crank lever 55, and through the link connections, the bell crank lever 54 in a clockwise direction.

The pivot 57 at the end of the bell crank lever 55 is provided with an extension 78 which forms a mounting'for the coil spring 79 which has its upper end secured to the pin 80'mounted on the operating lever 62 at a point opposite the center from the outer notched end 64.

This spring is likewise a tension spring and is connected to rotate the operating lever 62 in a counterclockwise direction until its movement is arrested by means of the stop 81 coming in contact with the extension 59 of the link 56. r

The upper reciprocating or sliding plate 34 of the backlining table is provided at one end with a lug 82 secured by any suitable means, such as thescrew 83, which lug is provided with a pivot pin 84'serving to pivotally connect the link 85thereto. The other end of the link 85 is pivotally connected to the ivot bolt :58 which connects the connecting link 56 with the bell crank lever 54.

It is obvious from an understanding of.

the mechanism that movement of the bell crank levers in a clockwise direction, as for instance, under the influence of the spring 76, will cause the reciprocating surface plate to move to the right. as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, and that a counter clock-rotation of the bell crank levers will cause a movement of the surface plate to the left, as shown in the drawings.

It will likewise appearthat the upward movement of the backlining table, together with the registering mechanism above described, will cause the operating level 62 to engage the pin 48 and to fit within the notch or pocket 64 so that the continued upward movement of the table will cause the operating link 62 to rotate around the pin 48 as a center with a resultant movement of the pivot pin 61 to the left shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. V

The movement to the left of the pivot 61 will cause a corresponding movement of the pivot 58, which, through the rotation of the bell cranks connected through the link 67, will. cause a corresponding and equal movement of the pivot 57 thereby causing the connecting link 56 and its extension 59 to be maintained in a substantially vertical position in its right and left movement.

The extent of the movement to the left will be determined by the adjustment of the operating lever 62 in the slot 60 and also by the adjusting screw or bolt 69 which determines the maximum right-hand position of the slide plate 34:- This latter adjustment influences the initial position of the backlining on the table surface.

The movement of the pivot 58 causes a corresponding movement of the table surface plate 34 so that by a proper adjustment and initial location of the backlining on the table surface an accurate registration of the backlining relative to the book signature is effected.

As above brought out, the backlining may be supplied to the table in any desired manner, but as illustrated in the present disclosure, it is presented in the form of a continuous piece advanced by means of the rolls and 101 of the mechanism designated general- 1y at 20 over the supporting surface 102 so that'the leading end projects over the table a predetermined amount.

A knife plate 103 is adjustably mounted with its cutting edge presented to cooperate with a second knife plate cutting edge 104 carried as a part of the plate 29 on the upper surface of the table body.

It will appear that as the table moves upwardly the projecting part of the backlining material is severed by means of the cooperating knife edges, whereby the backlining is held on the upper table surface by means of the suction or similar means above described so that by the continued upward movement it is accurately placed in registration on the back of the book signatures.

Referring to Figure 3 the material 105 shown applied to the backs of the book signatures iswhat is known in the art as super which has been previously applied and on top of which the backlining is secured.

In practice, the mechanism for supplying and feeding the backlining material in position to be received by the table and the mechanism for reciprocating the table together with the conveyor for carrying the book signatures are all connected through suitable mechanism to produce the desired synchronized operation of these parts, that is the mechanism at the backlining station only operates to apply backlining when a book is properly positioned at rest above the path of travel of the table, and the backlining material is fed outwardly and projected above the table in properly timed relation to the upward travel of the table.

It is desirable to cause the backlining material constituting a single backlining to properly rest upon and be maintained on the the registration is accomplished by means H of parts operating directly, influenced by the relative position of the book signatures and backlining mechanism, and that accordingly this invention may be practiced as applied to various forms of machines where the same conditions arise, and that it is not limited to the particular type of machine herein dis closed. i

It is conceivable that the present invention ias application on machines which are continuous or non-intermittent in operation, and ones which operate in directions other than the vertical direction, or in any other type of machine where the proper relative movements are effected and the structures are cor respondingly modified. 7

The above disclosure is given merely as one embodiment of the present invention, and'is not to beconsidered as limiting the invention in any way. V g 7 It is obvious that various structures may be employed as equivalent for effecting the operation of a registering mechanism for machmery herem disclosed.

The scope of the inventionwill be deter mined by an understanding of the present disclosure as one embodiment thereof and will be particularly pointed out in pended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described,-the combination'of traveling means, and means for approaching said traveling means, mechanism connecting said traveling means and approaching means, for causing said traveling means to remain at rest in a predetermined position and said approach ing means to approach said traveling means and to cooperate therewith in substantial registration while at rest, and independent means for causing positive registration between said traveling means and said approaching means.

2. In a machine of the character described, the combination of back lining carrying means, and book signature carrying means, said two means being movable relative to each other in a manner to applya back lining to the book signature and means for moving the back lining relative to the back lining carrying means, after the back int lining has been positioned on said back lining carrying means.

3. In a machine of the character. described, the combination of a book signature holder, means for presenting said holder in a predetermined position, a back lining carrying means adapted to approach and recede from said holder in a manner to apply a back lining to the signatures, mechanism for positioning said holder and for operating said back lining carrying means, in synchronism and substantial registration, and means independently of said mechanism for positively registering said hook holder and back lining carrier.

4. In a machine of the character described, an intermittently advancing conveyor having a plurality of book signature carriers, each provided with a means for determining the position of the book signatures held therein.

5. In a machine of the character described, an intermittently advancing conveyor having a plurality of book signature carriers, each provided With a means for determining the longitudinal position of the book signatures held therein.

6. In a machine of the character described, an intermittently advancing conveyor having a plurality of book signature carriers, each provided with a pin having a flat engaging surface for accurately determining the longitudinal position of the book signatures held therein.

7 In a machine of the character described, an intermittently advancing conveyor having a plurality of book signature carriers and a reciprocating table having a longitudinally reciprocable surface for carryingwbacklinings, mechanism to drive and operate said conveyor and table to cause said table to approach said book signature carriers with the backlinings in substantial registration with said book signatures, and means independent of said mechanism for moving said backlining carrying surface for effecting accurate registration between the book signatures and backlinings at the time of application thereof. i

8. In a machine of the character described,

an intermittently advancing conveyor having a plurality of book signature carriers, each provided with a means for determining the position of the book signatures held therein, and a reciprocating table having a longitudinally reciprocable surface for carrying backlinings, mechanism to drive and operate said conveyor and table to cause said table to approach said book signature carriers with the backlinings in substantial registration with said book signatures, and means independent of said mechanism cooperating with said means for determining the position of the book signatures for moving said backlining carrying surface for effectregistering the book signatures and backlinconstructed and associated to apply ings to the book signatures, and registering ing accurate registration between the book signaturesand backlinings at the time of application thereof.

9. In a mechanism of the character described, a book signature carrier, having means determining the. position of the book signatures, means moving toward and away from said book signature carrier, having a backlining carried thereon, and means for ing, comprising means operable by engagement with said means for determining the position of the book signatures.

10. In a machine of he character scribed, a relatively stationary part holding 'a'book signature, a reciprocating part for carrying and applying backlinings to said book signatures, and means carried by one of said parts operable by the relative movement between said parts for causing exact registration ofsaid backlining on said book signatures.

11. In a mechanism of the character described,*means holding book signatures, lo-

cating means'positioned in an accurate predetermined relation to the end of said book signatures, means for carrying backlinings adapted to apply backlinings to the book signatures, and means on said last named carrying means having engagement with and being operated by said locating means for accurately registering said backlining and book signatures.

12. The method of applying backlinings to book signatures which consists in providing backlinings of the correct length to fit said book signatures, registering one edge of the backlining to one edge of the book signature and applying and securing said backlining while preventing displacement thereof.

13. In a mechanism of the character described,-the combination of book signature carrying means, backlining carryin means backlinmeansfor accurately aligning said backlinings on said book signatures at the time of application.

-' 14. In a mechanism of the character described, book signature holding means having locating means for determining the position'of book signatures in a predetermined manner relative thereto, backlining applying means movable toward and away from the, booksignatures, having a reciprocable sup-' porting surface thereon, mechanism comprising a means engageable with said locating [means for moving said supporting surface,

the parts being constructed so that the move 'ment efi'ects accurate registration of the backlinings on the book signatures at the time of application.

' 15. In a mechanism of the character described, a registering device comprising av link carried 7 by interconnected levers whereby every portion of said link has substantial ly the same degree and direction of travel and means acting from a direction angular to the movement of saidlink for moving said link, said last named means being adapted to receive its movement from and according to the position of one of a pair of elements to be registered, and means connecting said link to the other of said pair of elements.

16. In a mechanism of the character described, a pin having a predetermined position relative to book signatures, a movable backlining table, a pair of spaced bell cranks carried by said table, a link connecting corresponding ends of said bell cranks, and a second link connecting the other corresponding ends of said bell cranks, said second link having an extension thereon, a lever pivoted to book, and thereby causes relative adjustment of the device which is communicated -to the component.

24. A bookbinding machine as in claim v21 7 and wherein is a carrier carrying the applier August, 1928-.

. WILLIAM C. SCHMIDT.

said extension and adapted to engage said pin, a sliding surface plate on said table and a connecetion between said second link and surface plate, and means for feeding backlinings to said back lining table.

17 The device set forth in claim 16, having means for restoring said surface plate to its normal position when said lever disengages said pin.

18. The device set forth in claim 16, having an adjustable mounting for said lever on sai extension.

19. The device set forth in claim 16, having means for restoring said surface plate to its normal position when said lever disengages said pin, and an adjustable stop for limiting the return movement of said sur face plate.

20. The device set forth in claim 16, having means for restoring said surface plate to its normal position when said lever disengages said pin, and an adjustable stop for engagement with one of said bell cranks for limiting the return movement of said surface plate.

- 21. Abookbinding machine, havin means holding a book with its backexpose means for applying a lining, headband or other component to the book back comprising an applier receiving the component in a re- ..tracted position and movable toward the book, and a registering device operating in timed relation with the approach of the applier to the book comprising a contact memher taking a position corresponding with that of the end of the book and a connection for adjusting the component accordingly.

22. A bookbinding machine as in claim 21 and wherein is a carrier carrying both the applier and registering device to the book and means operated by reason of the approach of the carrier to the book to cause the operation of the registering device.

23. A bookbinding machine as in claim 21 and wherein the contact member contacts directly a part of the book holder during the approach of the registering device to the 

